Virgo Anesca, Mr. Dancehall King of Jacksonville Talks to CVWA

With his distinctive mohawk, unique and colorful clothing, and bold personality, it's hard to miss Virgo Anesca wherever he goes.  This dancehall dancer almost never misses a weekend at Everready and De Real Ting Cafe, which he refers to as "my house", and also participates in dancehall competitions throughout the region.  Recently, he talked to CVWA about his background and his current and future projects.

CVWA:  Tell us a little bit about yourself.

VA:  I go by Virgo Anesca, Mr. Dancehall King of Jacksonville, Florida but my actually name is Ali B. Anesca.  I'm actually from this little island called Turks and Caicos.  Recently, a  lot of celebrities like to go there for vacation.  That's where I was born.  My father comes from Jamaican bloodline and my mother was Haitian.  He passed away in 2006 and she passed away in 1995.  When I was young, me and my brother Jim Anesca (AJ) went to live with my mother.  I lived for ten years in Haiti, five in Jamaica, and the rest in the States.

CVWA:  How did you get started dancing, and how long have you been performing?

VA:  I've been dancing forever but I took it seriously in 2011. I've been going to De Real Ting since 2004 or 2005, yes, a lot of time.   I didn't compete just yet because I had other obligations called life, haha, but at the end of 2012, from that point on, I live and breathe dance. At that point, there was nothing in my way, I could finally do it.

CVWA:  What competitions/events have you participated in recently, and/or upcoming?

VA:  I have been a part of the Dancehall King and Queen competition in Orlando, also next year I will be in the Third Annual Lady's Imagery.  I also have an Azonto competition coming up this fall around my birthday, on September 20 (my birthday is September 16, 1981).  I do a lot of appearances and a lot of clubs in Jacksonville, Florida like of course, my house, De Real Ting Cafe every Saturday, and yes, Everready Restaurant and Lounge on Lem Turner every Friday.  Every Wednesday I'm at Jim's Place and now on Sundays I'm at Ocean Bar and Grille.

CVWA:  What are some of your favorite songs to dance?

VA:  I love anything that's in the reggae dancehall genre.  I don't do so much with the slow reggae, but I consider myself the new school.  I love to dance to Movado, Popcaan, Sean Paul, Shaggy, Kartel, anything that's hot.  I listen to all the Reggae Gold collections, I play any and everything.

CVWA:  What is one of your most memorable dance performances?

VA:  My favorite moment is really not about me, but actually it was about my homeboy Christopher.  When he was doing his two minute set, he instead did a split like a dancehall queen and the whole room went maaaadddd enough said!.....And there was another moment when Rush Street was still open, a chick tried me on the dance floor, I danced with her, one move I did and she quickly told me to put her down.  I haven't seen her anywhere since.  One last moment is when I was dancing with a big fluffy lady, she almost cut off my air supply.  There are many more moments!

CVWA:  How can we keep in touch with you?

VA:  Facebook (Virgo Anesca)
         Youtube (Virgo Anesca)
     

Video of the Day- Sgt Remo "Rastafari Way"

Check out Mexican-born reggae artist Sgt. Remo's official video for his single "Rastafari Way", found on the Reggae Souljahs Worldwide Vol. 2 collection, released in January 2014 by Jah Yutes Entertainment.  Sgt. Remo is currently preparing for an overseas tour in Japan later this month and has been featured in an interview on this blog as well as in Yard Vibez magazine.  Big ups!  "Rastafari Way-show mi the light so that mi can see!"

Vybz Kartel Sentenced to Life in Prison-Listen to His Goodbye Song

Today, dancehall artist Vybz Kartel-real name Adidja Palmer, was sentenced to life in prison after his March conviction for the murder of Clive "Lizard" Williams.  He is eligible for parole after serving 35 years.  His three remaining co-defendants were also sentenced to life in prison, with Shawn Campbell and Kahira Jones eligible for parole after 25 years, and Andre St. John eligible after 30 years.  The fifth defendant, Shane Williams, was acquitted of all charges.  

Click below to listen to Kartel's song, "Never Come to Save the World", subtitled "Goodbye Song".  

What do you think about the trial and the conviction?  Comment below!

Vybz Kartel and Three Co-Defendants Found Guilty of Murder

An eleven-member jury echoed Bob Marley and cried 'guiltiness' today when it convicted dancehall singer Vybz Kartel and three co-defendants in the murder of Clive "Lizard" Williams, ending a closely watched 65-day trial.

According to The Jamaica Gleaner, Kartel-whose real name is Adidja Palmer, along with Shawn Campbell, Kahira Jones, and Andre St. John, were convicted in under two hours in a Jamaican courtroom.  The fourth man on trial, Shane Williams, was acquitted.  A fifth man, Calvin Haye, was originally accused with the others but was freed before trial due to lack of evidence.

Prosecutors alleged that 27-year old Clive Williams was beaten to death on August 16, 2011 at Kartel's home following a dispute over two missing guns.  Kartel was arrested a little over a month later, on September 30, and remained in jail until the trial after being denied bail. The controversial trial included accusations of police cover-ups and mishandling of evidence and was followed by dancehall fans throughout the world.  While Gaza fans are feeling sad and maintaining the artist's innocence, others are proclaiming that justice has finally been served by a Jamaican court system that is often viewed as corrupt and inefficient in the face of the violence that plagues the country.

The convicted are scheduled to be sentenced on March 27.

Damian and Stephen Marley Drop New Singles-Hear Them Here

Photo by B+Mochilla.com
Courtesy of With Love PR

Brothers Damian "Jr. Gong" and Stephen "Ragga" Marley are riding high this week with the release of new singles.  Jr. Gong's 2012 collaboration with Skrillex, "Make It Bun Dem" (video at bottom of this post), officially reached gold this week, just in time for the release of his new single, "Is It Worth It?  (Gun Man World).  Take a listen here:

Photo by Wonder Knack
Courtesy of With Love PR

Stephen Marley has also released a new track, "Thorn or a Rose", featuring Black Thought from The Roots, from his upcoming album Revelation Part 2: The Fruit of Life due to be released this summer.  Ragga is also gearing up for a U.S. tour in April and May.  Stay up-to-date on his Facebook page and listen to this beautiful tune here:

Skrillex and Damian Jr. Gong Marley- "Make It Bun Dem"

Third World Lead Singer Bunny Rugs Dead at 65

Bunny Rugs photo courtesy of The Jamaica Observer

Lead singer of the iconic reggae band Third World, William "Bunny Rugs" Clarke, passed away on Sunday in a Miami hospital.  He was 65.
According to The Jamaica Observer, The singer had been battling cancer for some time and had missed several of the group's engagements in recent months, but it was thought that we was recovering and would be well enough to travel back to Jamrock soon.

The singer passed away just shy of his 66th birthday, which would have been February 6.  He was born in Mandeville and became lead singer of Third World in 1976, replacing Prilly Hamilton.  Third World is best known for hits such as "96 Degrees in the Shade", "Try Jah Love", and "Now That We've Found Love", which was originally recorded by American R&B group The O'Jays, and later sampled by 90's rap group Heavy D and the Boys.  Other hits include the mellow "Cool Meditation" and one of my personal favorites, "Sense of Purpose", which they performed as a collaboration with Buju Banton on his last studio album before being incarcerated, Rasta Got Soul.

The reggae world has lost a true giant but the music and memories will live on.  Please feel free to share your comments below about your favorite Third World songs, memories, performances, etc.

Third World Performing "Sense of Purpose" Live in Germany 1993

Mixx Master Prince Chops it Up with CVWA

Mixx Master Prince
Photo Courtesy of Tunnelz of Vision
Photography

Anyone who has been around the Jacksonville reggae scene for any length of time has inevitably crossed paths with deejay, promoter, and entrepreneur Mixx Master Prince.  Whether he is spinning at De Real Ting, Eveready, or any number of other venues, or running his Northside music shop, Prince has made a notable name for himself among reggae fans, artists, and business owners.  Recently, he took time out of his busy schedule to answer a few questions for CVWA.

CVWA:  Tell us a little bit about yourself.  How did you get started as a deejay?

MMP:  My name is Mixx Master Prince, Prince Foster, born 1974 in Kingston, Jamaica.  I moved to Brooklyn, New York in 1982 and to Jacksonville in 2001.  I've been playing music all my life and started playing professionally in 1989.  I've worked at De Real Ting Cafe at 128 W. Adams  St. for the last twelve years and also worked on Cool Runnings and Danger Zone Sound.

CVWA:  Who/what are some of your favorite artists/songs to both listen to and spin?

MMP: My favorite artists are Bob Marley and Bounty Killer.  My favorite song right now is 123 by Alkaline.

CVWA:  Give us a little history about your shop, Prince Music World, and your new venue, Reggae Boyz.

MMP:  I own Prince Music World/Mixx Master Prince One Stop Shop, at 8933 Lem Turner Road.  I've been in business for over nine years.  I'm about to open up a sports bar called Reggae Boyz at 101-1 48th St. (inside the Winn Dixie Plaza on Main Street).  I'm also working on a reggae internet station to broadcast about our community.

Prince Music World
8933 Lem Turner Road
Jacksonville, FL 32208

CVWA:  What would be your dream show to promote/deejay for?

MMP:  My dream show would be Jah Cure live inside Plush.  He has never been here before.

CVWA:  How can we keep in contact with you?

MMP:   Email:  Princemixxmastaprinceonestopshop@gmail.com or  mixmasterprince@msn.com
www.facebook.com/mixmasterprince